Nikolaj Ehlers

There was no sophomore slump for Ehlers this past season, as he blew his 38-point rookie total out of the water by amassing 25 goals and 39 assists. The fleet-footed 21-year-old seems to have found a home on the left side of the Jetsí top line alongside Mark Scheifele and Bl...

Ehlers may not have been a Calder Trophy nominee, but he still had a solid rookie campaign that has Winnipeg looking toward the future. After dropping 15 goals and 23 assists last year, the 20-year-old will look to avoid a sophomore slump. Secured on the top line and hungry for 20-plus tallies, the ninth overall pick from 2014 makes for a dynamic wing combination with Blake Wheeler on the opposite side. Ehlers has a very bright future with the Jets and already has dynasty owners hungry for bigger things. The winger may not have a full-on breakout this year, but he should still continue getting better, rewarding fantasy owners who gamble on his upside.

2015-16

If you don't count Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, Ehlers is the best prospect in all of hockey. With his explosive speed and outstanding scoring ability, Ehlers has lit up the QMJHL for two seasons in a row, racking up consecutive 100-plus-point campaigns. The former first-round pick has yet to make his NHL debut, but itís possible he will get the chance to do so in 2015-16. However, fantasy owners shouldnít depend on him to carry much fantasy value this season. Ehlers is only 19 years old, and the last thing the Jets want to do is rush him into NHL action before heís ready. Although he may not have much immediate fantasy value, he's an extremely gifted prospect who represents an outstanding foundational piece for owners in dynasty leagues. Ehlers has the potential to be a star of the league in the future, but fantasy owners will need to be patient with his development.

2014-15

Ehlers lit up the QMJHL for 104 points in 63 games last season, winning Rookie of the Year honors in the league while often outperforming Halifax teammate and Lightning top prospect Jonathan Drouin. The performance rocketed him up the board at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, with the Jets more than satisfied to select him at ninth overall. The 18-year-oldís calling card is his explosive speed, and he could slot in as an annual top scorer on the wing once he adds a little more bulk to his slight 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame. Since the 2013-14 campaign marked Ehlersí first full season in North America, expect the organization to proceed slowly with the Danish dynamo, whose ultimate destination for the upcoming season should be determined during training camp. While heís unlikely to claim an NHL roster spot this fall and thus provide limited single-season value, Ehlers represents a salivating foundational piece for those in dynasty leagues.